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Rebel wrestlers enter the season with new look, same goal

Defending AAAA state champs lose six teammates to graduation, look to hold onto title

Rebel wrestlers Casey Herrington and Brandon Macklunis practice Monday night. Head coach Nico Guggino said his team will look to Herrington and Macklunis as leaders this season. (Corey Dickstein/Effingham Now)

SPRINGFIELD - Effingham County High School's wrestling squad will begin its season Friday with a target on its back.

The Rebels enter the season as the defending AAAA state champions, but this season's version looks very different than last years.

Not only did the Rebels lose all six wrestlers who placed at state last season, but they also lost their head coach, Chris Hardin, who departed to take the same position at Parkview High School.

But, head coach Nico Guggino, who reclaims the program's reins after a two-year hiatus, said his team shouldn't be counted out.

"We've got a lot of good kids coming back," he said. "We're not as good as last year right now, but as the year goes on we'll see what happens."

Guggino is looking to a pair of tested wrestlers to lead his squad that has the same goal as last year: win a state title.